I want to shop more ethically- which labels?

[StarSpangledSpaniel]

I’ve had a huge wardrobe clear out as my middle aged middle has necessitated a change of style. At the same time, DD has taught me a great deal about the terrible social and environmental impact of fast fashion. I don’t need too much at the moment, but when I do start replenishing I’d like to go for more ethical brands. I’ve bought a Palaver dress and Brora wrap recently, both lovely.

I am 5 foot 5, size 12, podgy in the middle. I like a classic style, bold colours, patterns ( but not ‘spriggy florals), natural fibres. I’m oldish (45) and at the fortunate stage where I can spend a bit on the right things (especially if I’m buying less).

Any ideas for great ethical labels to look try?

Baukjen? I'm shorter than you and their stuff is really long. I can't wear their trousers at all but everything else fits.

I would recommend Yes Friends for basics e.g. t-shirts and jeans: https://yesfriends.co/

This is a good place to find ethical brands depending on what you want: https://directory.goodonyou.eco/

Might not be quite what you are looking for but I've just got a couple of dresses from Daughters of India. They are stunning and fair trade

East?

Community clothing- the quality is amazing although the choice is very limited.

thought clothing
people tree
nomads

It's not always 100% accurate but this site is a good start if you're looking into sustainable/ethical brands: https://goodonyou.eco/#

You can also check if a company is B Corp certified: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/
Although of course good company's don't have to be!

These might not be to your taste but are mostly made in the UK or Europe

Oska Ischiko

Joseph Cheaney

Eribé

Cabbages and Roses

What is important to you..
Fair wages
Minimal environmental impact..

Do you believe what you read when the brand talk about their ethical credentials...

I am not sure these clothes are what you are looking for but their story is convincing from may angles.

rapanuiclothing.com/blog/dear-mr-bin-man-ted-talk/

Maybe consider the second hand market to widen your choices in terms of saving clothes from going to landfill and saving you from buying new in addition to the fact that potentially you can donate it back. It’s not quite the definition of ethical that you are maybe looking at but it gives some food for thought.I recently got a wool Brora fair isle cardigan in a charity shop for £8 OP just as an example.

For me it’s just as much about my own behaviour as about seeking out brands that boast of their ethical aspirations. I take the greatest joy in buying clothes and shoes and accessories I know I’ll wear and keep for years or decades.

I’m still wearing a Jil Sander coat bought in the 1990s. A pure wool Top Shop jumper that’s a decade and a half old. (The designer went on to lead knitwear design at Hermès.) Unbelievably well made shoes and boots made by a then up and coming shoemaker in the early noughties. They’ve been resoled and reheeled innumerable times and could probably go on forever. I’m gradually building up a small collection of skirts and jumpers from brands that focus on craft and fabric sourcing. (Mostly through the sales, as they’re impossibly expensive otherwise.) I know mentioning the brands by name would have me torn to shreds here, but unlike the Primark / Uniqlo / Cos end of my wardrobe, these are clothes that don’t get thrown away.

Charity shops/second hand clothes!

Sorry - that reads as terribly po-faced! I probably am a bit evangelical on this subject.

The most ethical thing is to shop less, textile waste is a leading cause of global warming.

Failing that, shop second hand.

thisisunfolded.com/

Howies if you are a rugged outdoor type!
Also Patagonia for wear

Hiut denim

YY to Community Clothing and Thought

Ethical Superstore have a few suppliers

I don’t see Cos or Uniqlo as being on a par with Primark.

Small independent makers:

Roake

Love and Squalor

Also resale platforms like Thrift+

There is some lovely stuff here - wish they did fabulous trousers in some of those fabrics!

https://www.and-daughter.com/

https://babaa.es/making-babaa/

https://cawleystudio.com/about

https://hades-shop.co.uk/

https://i-and-me.com/

https://kemitelford.com/

https://www.lafetiche.com/shop/?sortBy=myOrder#

https://www.margarethowell.co.uk/

https://www.old-town.co.uk/collections/product

Thanks so much for these ideas. I’m going to have a good look at all the brands suggested this weekend.

Generous Ape

Finisterre

Lucy and Yak

So have you found anything brilliant, @StarSpangledSpaniel?

Second hand, or use the ‘will I be wearing this in 10 years’ before buying anything.

It also depends which ethics are important to you - locally made? Natural fibres? Fewer chemical dyes? No landfill? No animal cruelty? No iron / cold wash? Warmth to save energy? Multi function to minimise purchases?

And in defence of Primark, my boss was discussing ethics and impact with a factory owner in India, and he surprised her by saying the only company that didn’t try and screw him and his employees was Primark. They keep their costs low by dealing direct, whereas other High Street brands will have several intermediaries who all take a cut and put pressure to lower wages.